Not All Nail Courses (or Tutors) Are Equal

On any short nail technician course it is vitally important that your tutor is experienced in delivering intensive courses both in terms of their own ability and how well the lesson plan is worked out, this ensures that the maximum amount of information is transferred to the student.

Standard nail technology courses that take months or years to complete have the luxury of not needing to have tutors with the ability to deliver the maximum amount of information in the shortest possible time.

In these circumstances where courses are literally drawn out to fill the time scale students may find themselves involved in rudimentary duties such as manning the reception desk for weeks at a time. In this respect there's less need for tutors t have the same delivery skills as those delivering fastrack nails extensions courses.

Do You Need to Study for an NVQ in Nail Services?

Firstly, it is worth pointing out that the NVQ Nail Services courses are relatively new qualifications - this being only their fourth year.
Previously, the NVQ Nail Technician course was a component of NVQ Beauty.
This means that most nail technicians practising today, have either qualified as part of the Beauty NVQ; have come through product manufacturer training courses or have qualified through a Nails Extension course like ours.

So, the question is, "Should you opt for the NVQ Nails route?" Well, this depends on you and what you want to achieve. If you want to work in a High Street high end salon, health spa or practise abroad then you should seriously consider the NVQ Nail Tech course. In these circumstances and because of the intensity of competition an NVQ will be the standard requirement. As for working abroad; all EU countries accept the NVQ without question - it is just as valid as here in the UK. If you're looking to work outside the EU, then you should contact the UK embassy and enquire directly.

However, if you are looking to work for yourself, work for a small salon - either employed or on a rent-a-chair basis; then a private accredited nail technology course is a good option. That is providing the course allows you to obtain insurance to cover yourself. One point of note is that if you do choose to work in a salon, then you may be asked to take a trade test to demonstrate your skills.

Things to Consider When Doing Short Nail Technician Courses

Before coming onto one of our Nail Tech courses one of the most common questions we are asked is, "How can I learn this much in just a few days?" And afterwards those same people generally say, "I can't believe I learnt so much in such a short space of time ".
The work and your training though does not stop when you qualify. With any intensive nail course you focus on the doing; concentrating on following the techniques you have been shown. Once you have finished your course that's when the real work starts honing your techniques and building your speed.

So, even before you start your nail course it's a good idea to get as many of your family or friends lined up for treatments so that as soon as you finish your course you can practise immediately. We recommend that you do between 10 and 20 sets of nails either free or at half price over the two weeks following your course. This will improve your speed, your technique and your confidence. Plus, because it follows on directly from your nail extensions course you'll still have the high levels of motivation and it will help internalise your skill base; making them more instinctive and sub-conscious, so you don't have to think about what you're doing - you just do it. So, practise, practise and practise some more.